Mail-bag



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. L. W. FREEMAN.

MAIL BAG. No. 344,775. Patented June 29, 1886.

W'bz ed as, Y fwwi zor launder Wlreemza N. PETERS, Photo-Lilhoyzpher. Washmgton. O. C.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. L. W. FREEMAN.

MAIL BAG.

No. 344,775. Patented June 29, 1886.

illy M76310?! I aZermeemw lean ,Zy

N. PUERS. Phomihhagapnor. \Vaiinbgluvl. D. C.

lllnrren Starts ATENT tries,

LEANDER W. FREEMAN, OF LIBERTY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, OF ONE-HALF TO EMETT L. KENNEDY, OF RUSHVILLE, AND ISRAEL FREEMAN, LEVI L. BOND, AND CLARA K. FREEMAN, ALL OF LIBERTY,

INDIANA.

Application filed March 11, 1886. Serial No. 194,887.

PEQIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 34:4,775, dated June 29, 1886.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LEANDER W. FREE- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Liberty, in the county of Union and State of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bags, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a mail bag or pouch in which a series of hinged plates are arranged within the mouth of the bag, said plates being partly separated by intervening spaces and connected by hinges that extend only partly across the plates, the arrangement being such that the hinge on one side will be received I 5 in the corresponding space on the opposite side, and so permit the mouth-pieces to be brought closely together, when the projecting pintles of the hinges at the rear will be engaged by bolts that are actuated by a hinged hasp on the front of the bag. I l

The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the annexed drawings,illustrating the in vention, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved mail-bag partly opened. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the upper part of the bag,showing the same closed and ready for transportation. Fig.8 is a horizontal section through the 0 mouth of the bag. Fig. 4 is a vertical trans verse section of the same; Fig. 5, a detail view of the opposite niouth-plates with their connecting-hinges.

The reference-numeral 1 designates the body of a mail bag or pouch made of any suitable material. lVithin the mouth of the bag is secured a series of oblong metallic plates, 2, preferably three on each side, connected by hinges. The end hinges, 3, extend entirely across the mouth-plates; but the intermediate hinges, 4, on one side of the bag, and the corresponding hinges, 5, on the opposite side, extend only about halfway across. the plates connected thereby. Beneath the rearhin ges, 4, and above 5 the front hinges, 5, between the ends of the plates 2,are vertical spaces 6, that receive the opposite hinges 4 and 5 when the bag is closed, and so allow the opposite plates to come closely together.

The upper edges of the plates 2 on one side of the bag-mouth are preferably provided with flanges 7,to fit over the upper edges of the opposite plates when the bag is closed.

The central plate on the front of. the bag is provided with a horizontal slot, 8, for the passage of a staple, 9, secured to the corresponding rear plate. The slot Sis also formed through the bag and through a hasp-supporting plate, 10, fastened to the outer side of the bag-front.

The plate 10 is provided at each end with horizontal slots 12, and between the slots 8 and 12 are transverse guide-loops 13. The slots 12 and guideloops 13 receive and support the guide-arms14 ofbolts15,thatslidein horizontal slots 16, formed in the ends of the front and rear mouth-plates. The pintle 17 of each rear hinge,

4, extends down across and immediately in front of the horizontal slot 16, in position to be e11- gaged by the bolts 15, and thereby lock the opposite plates 2 together.

To the guide-arm 14 of each bolt 15 is pivoted one end of a hinged hasp, 18, that is adapted to engage the staple 9, and also serves as a lever for actuating the bolts 15.

Before closing the mouth of the bag the hasp 18 should be drawn out,so as to retract the bolts 15 and prevent them from interfering with the closing together of the mouth plates. The front and rear plates, 2, should then be brought together, with the flanges 7 on one side closing over the upper edges of the opposite plates, and with the staple 9 projecting through the slot 8 in the front central plate. By now forcing the hasp 18 into engagement with the staple 9 the bolts 15 will be carried outward 85 and behind the projecting pintle 17 of the rear hinges, thus locking the plates 2 in close parallel contact, and the mouth of the bag can then be secured by a padlock or other suitable fastening applied to the staple and hasp.

For the purpose of excluding the weather a flap,19, is attached to the rear side of the bag. near the top, in position to be folded over the closed mouth of the bag. This flap 19 carries a slotted plate, 20, that is engaged with the 5 staple 9 and secured by the padlock or other fastening, and this plate 20 may, if desired, be so formed as to serve as a tag-holder.

With this construction of devices for closing and securing the mouth ofa mail bag or pouch, the bag can be opened into the most convenient position for filling. and can then be quickly and reliably closed and secured.

What I claim as my invention is- 1.' The combination, with a mail bag, of hinged mouth-plates connected by hinges that extend only part way across said plates, and having intervening spaces for receiving the opposite hinges, the hinges on one side of the bag mouth being provided with projecting pintles, that are engaged by sliding bolts on the opposite side of the closed bag, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a mail-bag, of

.. hinged mouth-plates, having intervening spaces 6 and horizontal slots 16, the intermediate front hinges, 5, and rear hinges, 4, having projecting pintles 17, and the sliding bolts 15, adapted to engage the pintles 17 of the rear hinges, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with a mail bag, of hinged mouth plates having intervening spaces 6 and horizontal slots 16, the intermediate hinges, 4 and 5, extending onlypartly across the plates, the rear hinges being provided with projecting pintles 17, the bolts 15, and the hasp 18, pivoted to and adapted to actuate said bolts, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with a mail-bag, of the mouth-plates 2, having spaces 6, slots 16, end hinges, 3, and intermediate hinges, 4: and 5, said intermediate hinges being extended only partly across the plates, and the rear intermediate hinges being provided with downwardly-projecting pintles 17, the staple 9, secured to the rear central plate and engaging a slot, 8, in the front central plate, the bolts 15, sliding on the inside of the front central plate and engaging the pintles 17, and the hinged hasp 18, pivoted to the guide-arms of said bolts, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEANDER W. FREEMAN.

Vitnesses:

WILLIAM O. KEFFER, J. B. NIoUM. 

